Witen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Witen was first found in various shires throughout ancient Britain. The name Whitton literally means "white farmstead," or "farmstead of a man called Hwita," from the Old English words "hwit," + "tun. 1 2

Witton which is a phonetic match, is similarly found throughout England. In this case, the name literally means "farmstead in or near a wood." 1 While the parish names are different, family records typically are scattered in both places, thanks to the ancient spellings that were in use. By example, "Witton, Worcestershire, was Wytton in the 14th century, Witune and Witone [were listed ] in Domesday Book., Wittun A.D. 972, Wittona A.D. 716. The Warwickshire place, Wytton in the 14th cent., was Witone in Domesday Book. Witton, Northwich, was Wytton in the 14th cent. The Lancashire township was Wytton in the 13th cent. The Yorkshire Wittons were Witun in Domesday Book. Witton Gilbert, Durham, was Wittone in the 14th cent., Witton in the 12th century. But Witton-le-Wear, Durham, was Wotton as well as Witton in the 14th cent., apparently the Wuduton [Old English wudu, wiodu, a wood, forest] of Symeon of Durham." 3

There is some evidence that the name may be Norman in origin as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Robert Witon in Normandy 1180-1195. 4

"There are parishes in Lincoln, Durham, Hereford, Northumberland, Salop (Shropshire) and Suffolk." 5

In Chagford, Devon, "the Whyddons the most notable was the eminent judge, Sir John, Serjeant-at-Law under Edward VI., and Judge of the Queen's Bench in the first year of Mary. He died January 27, 1575, and his monument forms one of the leading features of Chagford Church. Whyddon Park is a stretch of broken shaggy moorland hillside descending to the Teign. " 6

In Scotland, the lands of Whitton, in Morebattle parish were found in Roxburghshire. "Several individuals between 1165 and 1306 appear to have derived their surname from the lands of Whitton." 7 John Wytton was prior of St. Andrews in 1285 A.D., Michael and Adam Wytton both rendered homage to King Edward I of England in his brief conquest of Scotland in 1296. Richard de Wyttone, persone of the church of Hauwyk, also rendered homage in the same year. Michael was chief forester of the Forest of Selkirk in 1303. His seal showed a deer running. Richard Wyttone, a dignitary of the Church also rendered homage. David Qwitton was juror on an inquest at Roxburgh in 1361. Michael de Witton and Adam de Wytton of Selkirkshire rendered homage in 1296 (Bain, II, p. 198), and Thomas de Wytton had protection for two years for going on the king of England's service beyond seas, 1370. 7